Simpson University鈥檚 volleyball team kicked off their 2026 season at the Raider Invitational, suffering two losses on the opening day. The Red Hawks faced No. 22 Southern Oregon in a tightly contested match that ended in a five-set defeat (25-17, 25-27, 25-21, 25-27, 15-9). Despite a resilient effort to equalize in the fourth set, they couldn鈥檛 overcome a strong Raider performance in the decisive fifth set. In their second match, the Red Hawks lost to Bushnell University in four sets (25-21, 25-14, 21-25, 25-23), with a notable performance from Tiara Manns, who led in kills.

By the Numbers
  • Simpson's Tiara Manns recorded 15 kills against Bushnell University.
  • Mariah Napoleon and Elizabeth Heath combined for 20 kills against Southern Oregon, with Heath also contributing two blocks.
State of Play
  • Simpson University struggled against ranked opponents in their opening matches.
  • The team showed resilience, particularly in set four against Southern Oregon, forcing the match to five sets.
What's Next

The Red Hawks will look to bounce back tomorrow against College of Saint Mary at 11 am. A focus on improving their defense and offensive consistency is crucial for a potential turnaround.

Bottom Line

Simpson's opening day showcased their potential but also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in closing out crucial sets. They need to build on their strong moments to secure their first win of the season in the coming match.